A teenage skier from St Albans got her first ever Delancey British Alpine Skiing Championships off to a great start with a silver medal.

Sophie Chester recorded a time of 57.24 seconds to finish second in the U16 category of the female super G race on Monday.

The championships, which are held in Tignes, France, and will finish tomorrow (Friday), mark the most anticipated event of the British alpine skiing season and feature the best the nation has to offer, including Olympians Dave Ryding, Laurie Taylor, Alex Tilley and Charlie Guest.

There is also the chance to see the most promising young racers, such as Chester, during the second week of the Championships in the children’s races.

The 14-year-old, who is experiencing the event for the first time, said: “I didn’t ski that bad, I skied quite well but I did a few mistakes in a few places but not bad.

“I’m really happy because I’ve never done them before. I find it really cool because you get to race against English people but in France.

“It’s a lovely day, the snow is really good, it’s not normally like this at the end of the season.

“I really like super G for the speed and the feeling of going fast, this is my favourite discipline but I’m racing in all of them this week.”

Chester, who has moved from St Albans to France, is now competing against the best young British racers.

And she is aiming to continue her brilliant start to the week by finishing on more podiums.

“It’s really cool to race against international racers. I race with Sainte Foy Ski Club in France.

“I started skiing when I was three and racing since maybe seven or eight.

“My goal is to podium in giant slalom, that’s probably my second best after super G. Then slalom I’m not as good so maybe hoping for top five.”

To follow the progress of the Delancey British Alpine Ski Team visit www.teambss.org.uk or follow @teambss on Twitter.

As principal sponsor of British Ski and Snowboard, specialist real estate investment and advisory company Delancey is proud to be able to provide British athletes with the support they require to win World Cup and Winter Olympic medals.